HOBBS, NM — The Western Texas College women’s basketball team came up short in a 64-50 loss to New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) Thursday and dropped to 3-5 in WJCAC play.
NMJC pulled ahead in the first quarter, outscoring the Lady Westerners, 18-11. WTC freshman Shuntorri Rodgers led all scorers with six points and sophomore Morgan Dial hit her first 3-pointer, but six different NMJC players got on the board as they built the 18-11 early lead.
WTC responded with a big second quarter. Sophomore Clarrissa Francis scored six points and sophomore Jasmine Tinnell came off the bench to add another four. Dial hit her second 3-pointer and WTC outscored the Lady Thunderbirds 17-12, but still found themselves trailing 30-28 at the half.
The Lady Westerner offense fell dormant in the third quarter. NMJC sophomore Amaya Lewis recorded two steals and scored 10 points to power the Lady Thunderbirds to an 18-point quarter and a 48-35 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
WTC’s offense picked up in the fourth quarter, but could not slow down the Lady Thunderbirds on the defensive end of the court. Freshman Carrie Lacy came off the bench to score seven points and Dial hit her third and fourth 3-pointers to lead the Lady Westerners to a 15-point quarter. However, NMJC scored 16 points and sealed the 64-50 win.
The Lady Westerners dropped to 9-10 on the year and 3-5 in conference play. They will host South Plains College at 5:45 p.m. Monday.
WTC statistics: Morgan Dial, 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists; Clarrissa Francis, 11 points, 7 rebounds; Carrie Lacy, 7 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals; Shuntorri Rodgers, 6 points, 4 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists, 2 steals; Kimberly Best, 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block; Marta Casas Gimenez, 4 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals; Jasmine Tinnell, 4 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks.